Bourdy breaks duck in Pula

Gregory Bourdy produced a flawless final round of 67 to claim his maiden European Tour title at the Mallorca Classic at Pula Golf Club.

By Mark Kendall

Last Updated: 29/10/07 2:22pm

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy produced a flawless final round of 67 to claim his maiden European Tour title at the Mallorca Classic at Pula Golf Club.

The 25-year-old finished on -12, two shots clear of closest challenger Sam Little and becomes the third Frenchman to win on tour this year after Rafael Jacquelin and another first-time victor, Gregory Havret.

Bourdy started the day in a share of the lead with Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen on nine-under, but while others around struggled to hold their nerve, he did so in immaculate style to emerge victorious.

The Bordeaux-native carded three birdies and not a single dropped shot as he moved serently to a victory that earns him £238,000 and a place at next week's season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Drenched in champagne

Upon holing out for on the final green Bourdy - as has become tradition for the French winners on tour - was drenched in champagne by compatriots Thomas Levet and Christian Cevaer.

The delighted Frenchman stated: "This is fantastic to get my first win. I started off nervously and got lucky on the first three holes to make par but after that my

game was much better.

"I thought my second shot on the 16th was in the water, I was a bit lucky

there, but I'm delighted to win and qualify for the Volvo Masters. I knew I needed to finish in the top three and I made it.

"I might celebrate with my friends tonight if they are not flying home but definitely with my family after next week."

Despite finishing second following a 67 of his own, Little had plenty of reason to celebrate himself having recorded his best-ever Tour result - eclipsing his one fifth-placed finish.

Moreover, the Londoner - who had to go to qualifying school last year - ensured he retained his playing privileges for next season having started the week 136th on the Order of Merit.

Derksen had started Sunday clear of the field having headed out on to the course early to finish the remaining three holes from his third round following the suspension of play on Saturday evening.

The early start seemingly didn't suit the Dutchman who bogeyed the 16th having found water to stand level with Bourdy after 54 holes.

Derksen then struggled to regain any real momentum as he dropped a shot at the first when he went back out for the final round.

He did claim it back with a birdie at four, but having bogeyed 12 and three-putted at 15 to allow Bourdy to pull three clear, his challenge never recovered.

Scot Alastair Forsyth finished all on his own in fourth at seven-under, a shot ahead of Swede Johan Edfors and Irishman Peter Lawrie.

Englishman Richard Finch was another to secure his card for next year as he claimed a share of seventh on five-under, but Sergio Garcia - who started his final round just three strokes behind the leaders - endured a disappointing day as he returned a 73 to end in a tie for 16th.

Former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart saw his chances of retaining his card evaporate with a disastrous final round of 75 and the Scot - who needed to finish in the top 13 - now faces a first trip to qualifying school since 1993.